What are the risk factors for bacterial meningitis? What are the symptoms of bacterial meningitis? The most common symptoms of bacterial meningitis are: Painful, stiff neck with limited range of motion Headaches High fever Feeling confused or sleepy Bruising easily all over the body A rash on the skin Sensitivity to light These are symptoms to look for in children: Irritability Vomiting from a high fever Frequent crying Swelling of the head Lack of appetite Seizures sometimes also seen in adults if the meningitis is advanced Symptoms typically come on quickly, in as little as a couple of hours or up to a day or two.
How is bacterial meningitis diagnosed? Other tests may include: Brain imaging CT scan Blood and urine testing Swab of fluids from your nose or throat How is bacterial meningitis treated? What are the complications of bacterial meningitis? Can bacterial meningitis be prevented? Key points about bacterial meningitis If you feel like you've got the flu with unusual stiffness in your neck, it could be meningitis.
Get any symptoms checked out and treated as soon as possible to help ward off complications. Ask your healthcare provider about vaccines that may protect you from bacterial meningitis. Next steps Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider: Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen. Before your visit, write down questions you want answered. Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you. The severity and treatment of the disease differs depending on the cause, so identifying which type a person has is important so he can get the right treatment. Bacterial meningitis is a potentially life-threatening form of the disease that can cause serious complications such as brain damage, hearing loss, and ultimately death if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
This form of meningitis usually occurs when bacteria gets into the bloodstream and travels to the brain and spinal cord. Types of bacteria that can cause bacterial meningitis include Haemophilus influenzae usually type b , Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis. These bacteria can spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing or saliva transfer during kissing or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Certain forms of bacterial meningitis can be caused by eating contaminated food, though sometimes the source is never known. Sudden onset of symptoms such as headache, fever, and stiff neck is common with bacterial meningitis.
Other symptoms, such as rash , nausea and vomiting, light sensitivity, and confusion may appear, typically within three to seven days of exposure to disease-causing germs. The symptoms of bacterial meningitis often get mistaken for the flu, which can make diagnosis difficult. The best way to protect yourself from bacterial meningitis is to get vaccinated.
Symptoms may develop over several hours or over a few days. Seek immediate medical care if you or someone in your family has meningitis signs or symptoms, such as:. Bacterial meningitis is serious and can be fatal within days without prompt antibiotic treatment. Delayed treatment increases the risk of permanent brain damage or death. It's also important to talk to your doctor if a family member or someone you live or work with has meningitis.
You may need to take medications to prevent getting the infection. Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the fluid and three membranes meninges protecting your brain and spinal cord. The tough outer membrane is called the dura mater, and the delicate inner layer is the pia mater.
The middle layer is the arachnoid, a weblike structure containing the fluid and blood vessels covering the surface of the brain. Viral infections are the most common cause of meningitis, followed by bacterial infections and, rarely, fungal and parasitic infections.
Because bacterial infections can be life-threatening, identifying the cause is essential. Bacteria that enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain and spinal cord cause acute bacterial meningitis. But it can also occur when bacteria directly invade the meninges. This may be caused by an ear or sinus infection, a skull fracture, or — rarely — some surgeries.
Viral meningitis is usually mild and often clears on its own. Most cases in the United States are caused by a group of viruses known as enteroviruses, which are most common in late summer and early fall. Viruses such as herpes simplex virus, HIV , mumps virus, West Nile virus and others also can cause viral meningitis. Slow-growing organisms such as fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis that invade the membranes and fluid surrounding your brain cause chronic meningitis.
Chronic meningitis develops over two weeks or more. The signs and symptoms of chronic meningitis — headache, fever, vomiting and mental cloudiness — are similar to those of acute meningitis.
Fungal meningitis is relatively uncommon in the United States. It may mimic acute bacterial meningitis. It's often contracted by breathing in fungal spores that may be found in soil, decaying wood and bird droppings. Fungal meningitis isn't contagious from person to person. Cryptococcal meningitis is a common fungal form of the disease that affects people with immune deficiencies, such as AIDS. Bacterial meningitis usually needs to be treated in hospital for at least a week. Viral meningitis tends to get better on its own within 7 to 10 days and can often be treated at home.
Getting plenty of rest and taking painkillers and anti-sickness medication can help relieve the symptoms in the meantime. Viral meningitis will usually get better on its own and rarely causes any long-term problems. Most people with bacterial meningitis who are treated quickly will also make a full recovery, although some are left with serious long-term problems.
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